Our mom, Val, was diagnosed with multiple cancers back in March. One being a rare cancer in the form of an aggressive tumor within her right maxillary sinus cavity that was recently removed at the Mayo Clinic on July 9th.

This was a major 10+ hour surgery with a very skilled and amazing team of doctors and nurses. The surgery went better than the doctors expected and a major factor was her being able to keep her right eye (thanks be to God) but facial and pallet reconstruction were extreme which included taking tendons, tissue and skin from her upper right thigh by a 12 inch incision to help recreate her facial structure and pallet as the cancer had eaten the bone structure away on her right side.

My siblings (Mark, Vicki) and I were fortunate enough to be able to stay with her during this time at the hospital at a hotel right across the road from the Mayo and took turns spending nights in her hospital room to help support (physically, mentally, and spiritually) mom post-surgery.

Mom was released from the hospital on July 17th and has already been back to the Mayo for appointments and follow-ups. She will be starting radiation in the upcoming month of August at the Mayo to hopefully eliminate any remaining cancer cells in her sinus area where the tumor was. There will be many more trips to the Mayo to endure in the next several months/year to care for not only this aggressive cancer treatment but for her other cancers as well.

We have been extremely blessed for Vicki and family to be able to care for mom at their home in the Twin Cities during this time. As this is a huge blessing, it also makes family life look a little different and a new strain on finances.

Many people have asked how they can help. Above all, we ask for your continued prayers. We trust in our Lord and Savior, who holds all things in His hands and guides us through every step of this journey. For those who feel led to support in a practical way, monetary contributions to help cover out-of-pocket medical expenses, travel costs (such as gas and hotel stays), and ongoing care for Val are deeply appreciated.

If you'd prefer to contribute by a different form, please reach out to me, Katie, directly, and I will try my best to answer and respond as best as I can.

Thank you to everyone who has continually prayed and uplifted Mom, Val, please keep the thoughts and prayers coming.

Psalm 71:14 "As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more."